PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to sod certification, chapter 16-321 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.13 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Existing rules for sod certification are obsolete and in need of amendment to reflect current industry and program practices, scientific knowledge, statutory requirements, and clear and readable format. There have been no growers enrolled in this voluntary, fee-for-service program for some years. However, sod growers have informed WSDA that there is now enough demand for high-quality sod from this state to make participation in this program desirable to them, if the rules were revised. Normally, a plant product certified to a known standard commands a market premium, representing an economic opportunity to the growers.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed rule changes with the Nursery Advisory Committee, nursery and landscape professional associations, personnel with expertise in this area, and stakeholders, and then publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tom Wessels, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Laboratory Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, phone (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 920-2094, e-mail TWessels@agr.wa.gov.
February 27, 2001
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director